The Rock of Gibraltar is famous to some for being a peculiar English anachronism: a ‘little England’ precariously holding on to its privileged position as a last great outpost of the British Empire, whilst steadfastly guarding the gateways to the Mediterranean and North Africa. For the naturalist, though, it conjures up many other associations. This majestic limestone buttress forms a staging post for great numbers of migrating birds, for the Straits of Gibraltar are just 16 kilometres wide and provide the migrants with an ideal crossing point of the Mediterranean.

Our holiday will comprise a five-day exploration of both Gibraltar and Cadiz Province, based for three nights in the small Spanish town of Tarifa and for one night on ‘the Rock’, both ideal bases from which to enjoy the region’s cetaceans and the bird migration with minimum travel and maximum relaxation!

On at least two mornings we will travel out into the Straits from either Tarifa or Gibraltar to look for cetaceans. Three species of dolphin – Common, Bottlenose and Striped – are resident, and are often particularly abundant in September. There are also several resident groups of Long-Finned Pilot Whales in the area. These enchanting animals are usually extremely obliging and unconcerned by the approach of the small motor-vessel we will be using. In addition, other species such as Fin Whale, Sperm Whale and Orca regularly occur in the area.